Compaq Contura Explained

Contura
Developer:	Compaq
Type:	Laptop (notebook)
Releasedate:	1992–1996

The Contura is a line of notebook-sized laptops produced by Compaq from 1992 to 1996. The Contura was Compaq's first attempt at making an affordable, entry-level laptop.

Contura series

The main Contura series included models 3/20, 3/25, 3/25c, 4/25, 4/25c, 4/25cx, 400, 400C, 400CX, 410, 410C, 410CX, 420C, 420CX, 430C, and 430CX. These were standard-size notebooks, not ultra-portable subnotebook computers. The "X" designation denoted an active matrix screen.

3/20

• 386SL running at 20 MHz
• Display: VGA monochrome
• RAM: 2 MB
• 40 MB or 84 MB hard disk
• External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

3/25c

• 386SL running at 25 MHz
• Display: VGA color
• RAM: 4 MB
• 80 MB or 120 MB hard disk
• External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25

• 486SL running at 25 MHz
• Display: VGA monochrome
• RAM: 4 MB
• 120 MB or 200 MB hard disk
• External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25c

• 486SL running at 25 MHz
• Display: VGA color
• RAM: 4 MB
• 120 MB or 200 MB hard disk
• External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25cx

• 486SL running at 25 MHz
• Display: VGA color (active matrix)
• RAM: 4 MB
• 120 MB or 200 MB hard disk
• Integrated trackball

Contura Aero series

The Compaq Contura Aero 4/25 and 4/33c were among the earliest subnotebook computers that acted as a precursor to netbooks. They were released in 1994 and originally ran MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. They were also able to run Windows 95 after its release in 1995. They were similar to the Armada line of laptop computers, but smaller. Although the 4/25's GPU can produce color, the datasheet for the device states it is incapable of producing color graphics. This does not apply to the 4/33c.

4/25

• i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 25 MHz
• Display: Passive matrix gray scale VGA (16 shades (640x480) high resolution, 64 shades (320x200) low resolution, color capable when using an external VGA monitor)
• RAM: 4 MB built-in (expandable to a maximum of 8 MB or 12 MB using an optional 4 or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20 MB using a third party 16 MB module)
• 256 KB video memory (512 KB exists in the system, but is not accessible by the GPU.)
• 84 MB, 170 MB or 250 MB 2.5" IDE hard disk drive
• 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
• 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
• 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
• 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (3.8 x 26 x 19 cm)^[1]
• Integrated trackball

4/33c

• i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 33 MHz
• Display: Passive matrix color VGA (16 colors (640x480) high resolution, 256 colors (320x200) low resolution)
• RAM: 4 MB built-in (expandable to a maximum of 8 or 12 MB using an optional 4 MB or 8 MB Compaq branded module, or 20 MB using a third party 16 MB module)
• 256 KB video memory (512 KB exists in the system, but is not accessible by the GPU.)
• 84 MB, 170 MB or 250 MB 2.5" IDE hard disk drive
• 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
• 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
• 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
• 1.7 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (4.3 x 26 x 19 cm)
• Integrated trackball

Aero handhelds

• Compaq Aero 1500 Palm-size PC^[2]
• Compaq Aero 2100 Color Palm-size PC^[3]
• Compaq Aero 8000 Handheld PC Pro^[4]

This line of notebook PCs from Compaq was first succeeded by the Compaq C-Series^[5] and then by the Aero 1550 Pocket PC.^[6] The line of handheld devices starting from the Aero 1550 Pocket PC were finally moulded into the iPAQ line of handheld devices, which was handled by Hewlett-Packard, after their acquisition of Compaq.

In popular culture

• The Compaq Contura 4/25cx was used and seen in the 1995 Season 2, Episode 8 of Friends.
• The Compaq Contura 4/33c was used and seen in the 2000 Season 4, Episode 4 of La Femme Nikita.

References

1. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/pc-hardware-faq/laptops/compaq-aero/ Compaq Aero FAQ
2. Web site: Aero 1500 Quickspecs . 2008-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716163904/http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10397_div/10397_div.HTML . 2011-07-16 . dead .
3. Web site: Aero 2100 Quickspecs . 2008-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716163922/http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10019_div/10019_div.HTML . 2011-07-16 . dead .
4. Web site: Aero 8000 Quickspecs . 2008-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716164033/http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10303_div/10303_div.HTML . 2011-07-16 . dead .
5. Web site: C-Series Quickspecs . 2008-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815092342/http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10018_div/10018_div.html . 2011-08-15 . dead .
6. Web site: Aero 1550 Quickspecs . 2008-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716164057/http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10555_div/10555_div.HTML . 2011-07-16 . dead .